CHENNAI: The state reported 18,023 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday and 409 deaths, taking the case tally to 22.7 lakh and death tally to 27,765.
The active cases in the state touched 2.18 lakh.
On Tuesday, 44 deaths in Coimbatore overtook the number of deaths in Chennai (42), followed by Salem (25), Tiruvallur (22) and Dindigul (22).
While all districts reported deaths, at least 15 districts had more than 10 deaths each.
Coimbatore also recorded the highest new cases across the state on Tuesday.
The western district reported 2,439 cases followed by 1,596 in Erode and 1,437 in Chennai.
All other districts reported fewer than 1,000 cases.
Tiruppur and Salem reported 995 and 975 cases respectively.
The lowest number of cases were from Ramanathapuram (107), followed by Perambalur (115) and Sivaganga (138).
Health minister Ma Subramaniam visited the Omandurar hospital, where the state has put up a digital display to inform patient relatives about the status of critically-ill patients.
“We have restricted visitors and attenders in all Covid wards.
But many patients’ relatives are anxious about their relatives in intensive care units.
The display board will exhibit their health status,” he said.
In addition, a help desk set up the NGO the Banyan to deliver clothes, food, books or other things into the ward.
“About ten volunteers will wear PPE kits before entering the ward,” he said.
Attack on doctorsThe state government has warned that it will initiate stringent action against people who attack doctors or health workers in hospitals.
“We hear about public beating up healthcare providers suspecting negligence.
“We will initiate strong action against people who do this,” he said.
The state will also initiate action against hospitals for overcharging patients.
So far, action has been initiated against 40 private hospitals, he said.